'Espresso Machine' on Serious Eats

Local cafés use giant beast-brewers such as the $6,500 (or more) La Marzocco; that kind of counter-candy just isn't in the budget. There are a number of disappointing, low-pressure options on the market, and then there's the generally-praised Rancilio Silvia, a little machine that the coffee geeks like to hack with a PID temperature controller. The rub? With the PID installed, that'll run you around $879 dollars before shipping. Can Breville's new $500 model compete? More

Home coffee setups don't have to be cafe-caliber to make a big change in your daily routine. But if you're the sort of person for whom money is no object—or are in charge of selecting just the thing for someone of the sort—we encourage you to break the bank and buy one of these lavish toys. After all, coffee, and you, are worth it—right? More

During the late 19th and early 20th century, Italy's Industrial Revolution was in full force, with big, cranking industries popping up faster than you can say "a-pizza pie." Before long, factory bosses noticed how much more productive their drones after a coffee break. But there was one big downside: The coffee break took too darned long. More